CA2246903C

CA2246903C - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CA2246903C
Application number: CA002246903A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 1997-09-29
Filing date: 1998-09-09
Publication date: 2003-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-09
Also published as: CA2246903A1; TW518216B; AU8521298A; BR9805066A; EP0904755A2; CN1216696A; SG71837A1; US6447496B1; DE69834883D1; US6394989B2; EP0904755A3; DE69834883T2; KR19990030198A; AU745093B2; KR100589464B1; CN1301694C; US20010047159A1; MY123192A; ID20974A; EP0904755B1

Abstract

An absorbent article such as sanitary napkin having an absorbent laminate is provided on a skin-noncontactable side of the laminate with deformation inducing means. The deformation inducing means include a hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member adapted to pull the panel member toward its middle under contractile force of the elastically stretchable member and thereby to convexly deform the panel member toward a skin-contactable side of the laminate. Convex deformation of the panel member by the deformation inducing means allows the laminate to be convexly deformed.

Description

,. ,~ CA 02246903 1998-09-09 ABSORBENT ARTICLE
This invention relates to disposable absorbent articles and particularly to sanitary napkins ada~~ted for absorptive hold of menstrual discharge and incontinence pads for women.
Conventional sanitary napkins generally include an absorbent laminate consisting of a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a Tic~uid-absorbent core disposed between these two sheets. Sanitary napkins disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. Hei6-40888, Japanese ~?atent Application Disclosure (Rokai) No. Hei2-7958 anti Japanese Patent Application (PCT) Disclosure (Rohyo) No. hlei9-507033 includes an elastically stretchable member provided on the liquid-absorbent core so as to extend at least transversely thereof and to deform the napkin convexly toward i~he wearer' s skin as the elastically stretchable member contracts. A sanitary napkin disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Disclosure (Rokai) No. Hei2-11138 includes a flexu:rally rigid element serving as a deforming element provided o:n a lower surface of the liquid-absorbent core so that the napkin may be normally forced by the element to be convexly deformed toward the wearer's skin. A sanitary napkin disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Disclosure No. HeiS-62228 includes an elastic member provided in a liquid-absorbent core adjacent its upper layer along a longitudinal center line so that the napkin may be convexly deformed toward the wearer's skin as the elastic member contracts longitudinally of the liquid-absorbent core.
In the case of the sanitary napkin disclosed by the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei6-40888, Japanese Patent Application Disclosure No. Hei2-7958 and Japanese Patent Application (PCT) Disclosure No. Hei9-507033, the convex deformation occurs only under a contractile effect of the elastically stretchable member. S~~ far as the liquid-absorbent core is not "collapsed" due to menstrual discharge absorbed therein or not deformed by an external force exerted thereon during use of the napkin, the convex deformation is maintained by the contractile effect of the elastically stretchable member. However, when the phE~nomenon of collapse as well as the deformation due to the external force is inevitable, the napkin is impossible to maintain the desired convex deformation since the convexity is lost or changed into another shape due to these factors.
According to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Disclosure No. Hei2-11138, the convex deformation is obtained by a convex shape previously given to said deforming element. Such a sanitary napkin is necessarily bulky and this bulkiness may be alleviated by packaging the napkin so as to be compressed in a thicknE~ss direction of the napkin as in the conventional manner of packaging. However, if a period before unpacking is relatively long, the deforming element may not restore its original state sufficiently to deform the napkin with a desired convexity.
While this inconvenience can be probably overcome by appropriately selecting the material for the deforming element, this selection will be cons~_derably difficult.
Furthermore, a predetermined flexural resistance is required to maintain the desired convex deformation and the material selected to meet this requirement has often a relatively high rigidity. In consequence, the napkin is provided with a correspondingly high rigidity which may give the wearer uncomfortable stiff feeling.
According to the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Application Disclosure No. HeiS-62228, the upper layer of the liquid-absorbent core tends to be lifted off the remainder underlying the upper layer under a contractile force of the elastic member. In consequence, body fluids discharged on the upper layer can not be adequately absorbed by the ,, CA 02246903 1998-09-09 remainder layer and often stay on the up~~er layer until the body fluids leak laterally of the napkin.
In view of the above problems, it is an object of the invention to provide a sanitary napkin so improved to make effective use of the advantages offered b~t the known sanitary napkins and at the same time to eliminate the problems left unsolved by these sanitary napkins.
According to the invention, there is provided an absorbent article having a longitudinal center line, a transverse center line being orthogonal to the longitudinal center line, a skin-contactable s~~de and a skin-noncontactable side, the absorbent arti~~le comprising: an absorbent laminate and deformation inducing means provided closely adjacent the skin-noncontactable side so as to convexly deform the absorbent laminated toward the skin-contactable side; the deformation inducing means including a hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member secured to the panel member parallel to the transverse center line or along the longitudinal center line so as to convexly deform the panel member toward ithe skin-contactable side as the elastically stretchable member elastically contracts; and respective regions of thf~ absorbent laminate ,, CA 02246903 1998-09-09 and the deformation inducing means haring been convexly deformed being deformable to substantially flat states against a contractile force of the elastically stretchable member when a contacting pressure directed from the skin-contactable side toward the skin-noncontactable side is exerted on the article.
According to the invention, coopei:ation of the panel member and the elastically stretchable member constituting together the deformation inducing means causes the absorbent laminate to be convexly deformed toward the skin-contactable side and to be closely placed against the wearer's external genital organs . With a contacting pressure directed from the skin-contactable side to the skin-noncontactable side being exerted thereon, the absorbent laminate can be deformed together with the deformation inducing means to its flat state against the contractile force ~~f the deformation inducing means.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a bottom side of the partly cutaway napkin;
Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the napkin taken along a line diving said napkin in front and rear halves;
Fig. 4 is a view schematic sectional similar to Fig. 3 but of a sanitary napkin according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view to Fig. 3 but of a sanitary napkin according to a third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a bottom side of the napkin partly cutaway, shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the napkin, shown in Fig. 6, taken along a line diving the napkin in front and rear halves;
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig~~. 8 but showing a sanitary napkin according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fi~3. 8 but showing a sanitary napkin according to a six embodiment of the invention.
Details of an absorbent article according to the _7_ invention will be more fully understood from the description of a sanitary napkin, one of specific embodiments of the invention given hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figs. 1 - 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figs. 1 - 3, a sanitary napkin is provided in the form of an absorbent laminate 1 having a longitudinal center line 2, a transverse center line 3 being orthogonal to the longitudinal center line 2, a skin-contactable side 4 and a skin-noncontactable side 5. The absorbent laminate 1 is composed of a liquid-permeable topsheet 6, a liquid-impermeable backshE~et 7 and a liquid-absorbent core 8 disposed between these two sheets 6, 7.
Being larger than the core 8 in their longitudinal and transverse dimensions, both the topsheet 6 and the backsheet 7 extend outward beyond peripheral edges of the core 8.
Transverse extensions 6a, 7a of the "topsheet 6 and the backsheet 7 are covered with respective elongate sheets 9, 9 each folded in longitudinal halves sc that each of the transverse extensions 6a, 7a is sandwiched between the longitudinal halves. In this mannE~r, the transverse extensions 6a, 7a and the elongate sheets 9, 9 form together a pair of side flaps 10, 10. Each of these side flaps 10, 10 _8_ contains therein an elastically stretchable member 11 attached thereto along its outer edge so that the member 11 may be longitudinally contractile and thereby this side flap may rise upward (toward the wearer's skin).
The topsheet 6, the backsheet 7 and the core 8 may be made of materials which have conventionally used for making well-known sanitary napkins and dispos~~ble diapers. The topsheet 6 may be made, for example, of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic film or a laminate of these nonwoven fabric and plastic film. The backsheet 7 may be made, for example, of t~ moisture permeable plastic film or a laminate of this and a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. The core 8 may be made, for example, of a mixture of fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymer powder. Employing these materials, both the topsheet 6 and the backsheet 7 have a high flexibility, on one hand, and them core 8 has a semi-rigidity, on the other hand. Though not shown, the topsheet 6 preferably has a plurality of liquid-guiding openings over its entire area. Of these liquid-guiding openings, those formed in a convexly deformable zone 12 which will be described later preferably have their d:Lameters larger than those formed in the remaining zone so as to offer a correspondingly higher liquid-guiding ability. In addition, the topsheet 6 preferably contains an amount of thermoplastic fibers at least required to obtain a heat-sealing effect so far as the topsheet is made of a nonwoven fabric. The core 8 also may contain a certain amount of thermoplastic fibers, if desired, unless its absorptivity is adversely affected thereby. The elongate sheet 9 may be made, for example, of a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a plastic film. The elastically stretchable member 11 may be made, for example, of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, spandex or the like.
The absorbent laminate 1 has a 1>air of deformation assisting means 13 longitudinally extending across a longitudinally as well as transversely m:Lddle region of this laminate 1, describing a pair of lines curved outward symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal center line 2. This pair of deformation assisting means 13 define a convexly deformable zone 12. The laminate 1 additionally has another pair of deformation assisting means 20 extending adjacent outer sides of the first-mentioned pair of deformation assisting means 13, respe~~tively, describing lines curved inward symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal center line 2. These pairs of deformation assisting means 13, 20 may be formed by :respective series of compressed dots (i.e., embosses) or respective compressed ,, CA 02246903 1998-09-09 -1~-grooves. The laminate 1 is further provided in the convexly deformable zone 12 with single deformation assisting means 14 extending on a bottom surface (i.e., on the skin-noncontactable side 5) of the core 8 along the longitudinal center line 2. While this deformation assisting means 14 is shown to be formed by a compressed groove, it is also possible to form this deformation assisting means 14 by a slit dividing the core 8 in two or a series of compressed dots (i.e., embosses). In the middlE~ of the convexly deformable zone 12, the laminate 1 is provided on the bottom surface (i.e., on the skin-noncontacta.ble side 5) with deformation inducing means 15. The deformation inducing means 15 include a rectangular hydrophobic panel member 16 and an elastically stretchable member 17 both extending transversely of the laminate 1. The ~~anel member 16 is deformable to a substantially flat state and includes a middle portion 18 having a tendency to bE~ folded (so-called potential fold) toward the skin-contactable side 4 along the longitudinal center line 2. The middle portion 18 of the panel member 16 extends in conformity mith the compressed groove 14 functioning as the deformation assisting means for the core 8. The elastically stretchable member 17 is secured to the panel member 16 in the proximity of transversely opposite side edges of the panel member 16 under longitudinal tension. Consequently, the panel member 16 is convexly deformed toward the skin-contactable side 4 along the potential fold of the middle portion 18 as the elastically stretchable member 17 contracts. A lift:~ng effect owing to this deformation of the panel member 16 causes the core 8 to be convexly deformed upward (i.e., toward the wearer's skin) together with the topsheet 6 in the convexly deformable zone 12 along the compressed groove 14 functioning as the deformation assisting means for the core f~ . This deformation causes, in the convexly deformable zone 12, the core 8 to be spaced from the backsheet 7 and thereby a space is formed between these two components 7, 8. When a contacting pres sure directed from the s kin-contactab 1e s ide 4 toward the skin-noncontactable side 5 is exerted on the laminate 1, the topsheet 6, the core 8 and the panel member 16 are deformed to a flat state against the contracting effect of the elastically stretchable member 17. With a consequence, the skin-contactable side 4 in the convexly deforrnable zone 12 tightly f its to the wearer' s external g~anital organs and a leakage of menstrual discharge is effectively avoided. It should be understood that the contacting pressure and release thereof are more or less repeated as the~aearer of the napkin moves her body. As a result, the space between the core 8 and the backsheet 7 is repeatedly collapsed and restored.
This causes a pumping effect serving to expel an amount of water vapor or moisture staying in this space and in the vicinity thereof out from the napkin, on one hand, and to suck fresh atmospheric. air into the napkin, on the other hand. In this way, an uncomfortable feeling due to water vapor or moisture is more or less alleviated.
The panel member 16 has its transversely opposite side edges extending outward slightly beyond the transversely opposite side edges of the deformation assisting means 13 and secured to the core 8 in the proximity of the transversely opposite side edges of the core 8 by means of the series of compressed dots (i.e., the heat-sealed dots formed by embossing) 13. Such securing may be achieved also by hot melt adhesive means instead of the heat-sealing.
The panel member 16 may be made, for example, of a paper sheet, a fibrous sheet, a foamed plastic sheet or a laminate consisting of at least two of these sheets.
Depending on a particular bending resistance (i.e., rigidity) of the laminate 1, the panel member 16 generally has a cantilever measured value of 40 - 100 mm and preferably of 50 - 80 mm under the prescription according to the ,7apanese Industry Standard (JIS). The panel member 16 is of hydrophobic nature and can induce a desired deformation of the core 8 without suffering from so-called collapse phenomenon even when the panel member 16 is wetted with body fluids such as menstrual discharge. The elastically stretchable member 17 may be, for example, of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, spandex, an elastic :Foamed sheet or an elastic nonwoven fibrous sheet. Depending on a particular bending resistance ( i. e. , rigidity) of them absorbent laminate 1 and/or the panel member 16, the elasi~ically stretchable member 17 generally has a stretch stre:~s of 50 - 1500 g, preferably 100 - 1000 g and more preferably 150 - 800 g as measured with the elastically member 17 being stretched from its initial length of 100 mm by the same length.
Fig. 4 illustrates a second Eambodiment of the invention. Referring to Fig. 4, the panE~l member 16 has its transversely opposite side edges ly_Lng short of the transversely opposite side edges of the dE~formation assisting means 13 and secured to the backsheet 7 key means of hot melt adhesive means 19a. The elastically stretchable member 17 also is secured to the panel member 16 by means of hot melt adhesive means 19b in the proximity of the transversely opposite side edges of the panel member J.6. Obviously, such securing may be achieved by heat-sealing p~nstead of using the hot melt adhesive means 19a, 19b.
Fig. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention.
Referring to Fig. 5, the deformation ir.~ducing means 15 is secured to the outer surface of the backsheet 7 utilizing a series of compressed dots (i.e., heat-sealed dots formed by embossing) 13a serving as the deformation assisting means 13.
Such securing may be achieved by means of hot melt adhesive means instead of the heat-sealing. The deformation inducing means 15 may have its transversely opposute ends lying short of the transversely opposite side edges of the deformation assisting means 13. As will be readily understood, the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 5 is characterized in that, in a region of the absorbent laminate 1 defining the convexly deformable zone 12, the topsheet 6, the core 8 and the backsheet 7 are convexly deformed together under the effect of the deformation inducing means 15.
Figs. 6 - 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention. The elastically stretchablE~ member 17 extends outward beyond longitudinally opposite ends of the panel member 16 and is secured to the core 8 in the proximity of longitudinally opposite ends of them core 8 with a longitudinal tension. It is also post~ible to secure the elastically stretchable member 17 to the panel member 16 in the proximity of the longitudinally opposite ends of said panel member 16. Consequently, the p,~nel member 16 is convexly deformed toward the skin-contactable side 4 along the potential fold of the middle portion 18 as the elastically stretchable member 17 contracas.
Fig. 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention.
Referring to Fig. 9, the panel member 16 has its transversely opposite side edges lying short of the transversely opposite side edges of the deformation assisting means 13 and secured to the backsheet 7 by means of hot melt adhesive means 19.
Obviously, such securing may be achieved also by heat-sealing.
Fig. 10 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the inventions. Referring to Fig. 10, the deformation inducing means 15 is secured to the outer surface of the backsheet 7 utilizing a series of compressed dots ( i. E~. , heat-sealed dots formed by embossing) 13a serving as the dE~formation assisting means 13. Such securing may be achieved by mean of hot melt adhesive means instead of the heat-sealing. The deformation inducing means 15 may have its transversely opposite ends lying short of the transversely opposite side edges of the deformation assisting means 13. A: will be readily ,, CA 02246903 1998-09-09 understood, the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 10 is characterized in that, in a region of the absorbent laminate 1 defining the convexly deformable zone :L2, the topsheet 6, the core 8 and the backsheet 7 are convexly deformed together under the effect of the deformation induc=ing means 15.
The absorbent article according to the invention includes the deformation inducing means formed separately of the absorbent laminate itself and provided on the skin-noncontactable side of the laminate. The deformation inducing means have hydrophobicity as well as rigidity required for its desired function. The function of the deformation inducing means ensures the reunion of the laminate defining the convexly deformable zone to be convexly deformed toward the wearer's skin even when the laminate is wetted with body fluids such as menstrual. discharge. In consequence, a fitness of the article to the wearer's external genital organs is improved and i:hereby a leakage of menstrual discharge is effectively avoided.
The deformation inducing means comprise the hydrophobic panel member which is deirormable to its substantially flat state and the elastically stretchable member. Cooperation of these two members causes the region of the absorbent laminate defining the convexly deformable zone to be convexly deformed. Such a unique arrangement can offer various advantages. For example, the absorbent laminate and the deformation inducing means can be packaged together in the form of a substantially flat article. Evs~n after the article has been packaged in the flat state, said convexly deformed state can be restored as the elastically stretchable member contracts again as soon as the package is opened.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a skin-contactable side and an opposite side, said absorbent article comprises:
an absorbent laminate and deformation inducing means provided adjacent said opposite side so as to convexly deform said absorbent laminate toward said skin-contactable side;
said absorbent laminate including a convexly deformable zone which lies on both sides of said longitudinal axis so as to be contoured symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, and deformation assisting means formed on both sides of said convexly deformable zone;
said deformation inducing means including a panel member and an elastically stretchable member which has transverse ends thereof secured in the vicinity of said deformation assisting means to said panel member so as to convexly deform said panel member about said longitudinal axis toward said skin-contactable side as said elastically stretchable member elasti-tally contracts;
respective regions of said absorbent laminate and said deformation inducing means which have been convexly deformed are deformable to substantially flat states against a contractile force of said elastically stretchable member when a contacting pressure directed from said skin-contactable side toward said opposite side is exerted on said article.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein said first deformation assisting means comprise compressed grooves, slits or series of compressed dots.

3. The article according to claim 1, wherein said convexly deformable zone in said absorbent laminate further includes second deformation assisting means lying close by at least transversely opposite side edge sections of a boundary edge defining said convexly deformable zone.

4. The article according to claim 3, wherein said second deformation assisting means comprise series of compressed dots or compressed grooves.

5. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member has a potential fold directed toward said skin-contactable side along said longitudinal axis.

6. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member has a cantilever-measured value of 40 - 100 mm as measured according to JIS.

7. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member is made of a paper sheet, a fibrous sheet, at least one of a foamed plastic sheet. and a non-foamed plastic sheet alone, or a laminate consisting of at least different two of these various sheets.

8. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member has a width narrower than a width of said absorbent laminate both measured along said transverse axis and lies short inwardly of transversely opposite side edges of said absorbent laminate.

9. The article according to claim 1, wherein said elastically stretchable member has a stretch stress of 50 - 1500 9.

10. The article according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent laminate comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet.

11. The article according to claim 10, wherein surfaces of said liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet opposed to each other at least in said convexly deformable zone are separable from each other.

12. The article according to claim 10, wherein said deformation inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet and secured to said liquid-absorbent core at least one of at t.wo positions thereof :in the proximity of its transversely opposite side edges.

13. The article according to claim 10, wherein said deformation inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet and secured to said backsheet at least at two positions thereof in the proximity of its transversely opposite side edges.

14. The article according to claim 10, wherein said deformation inducing means are disposed on the outer surface of said backsheet and secured to said backsheet at least at two positions thereof in the proximity of its transversely opposite side edges.

15. The article according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent laminate and said deformation inducing means are secured together by means of said second deformation assisting means.

16. An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a skin-contactable side and an opposite side, said absorbent article comprises:

an absorbent laminate and deformation inducing means provided adjacent said opposite side so as to convexly deform said absorbent laminate toward said skin-contactable side;
said absorbent laminate including a convexly deformable zone which lies on both sides of said longitudinal axis so as to be contoured symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, and deformation assisting means formed on both sides of said convexly deformable zone;
said deformation inducing means including a panel member and an elastically stretchable member which has longitudi-nal ends thereof secured in the vicinity of longitudinal opposite ends of at least one of said absorbent laminate and said panel member so as to convexly deform said panel member about said longitudinal axis toward said skin-contactable side as said elastically stretchable member elastically contracts;
respective regions of said absorbent laminate and said deformation inducing means which have been convexly deformed are deformable to substantially flat states against a contractile force of said elastically stretchable member when a contacting pressure directed from said skin-contactable side toward said skin-noncontactable side is exerted on said article.

17. The article according to claim 16, wherein said first deformation assisting means comprise compressed grooves, slits or series of compressed dots.

18. The article according to claim 16, wherein said convexly deformable zone in said absorbent laminate further includes second deformation assisting means lying close by at least transversely opposite side edge sections of a boundary edge defining said convexly deformable zone.

19. The article according to claim 18, wherein said second deformation assisting means comprise series of compressed dots or compressed grooves.

20. The article according to claim 16, wherein said panel member has a potential fold directed toward said skin-contactable side along said longitudinal axis.

21. The article according to claim 16, wherein said panel member has a cantilever-measured value of 40 - 100 mm as measured according to JIS.

22. The article according to claim 16, wherein said panel member is made of a paper sheet, a fibrous sheet, a foamed plastic sheet or a non-foamed plastic sheet alone, or a laminate consisting of at least different two of these various sheets.

23. The article according to claim 16, wherein said panel member has a width narrower than a width of said absorbent laminate both measured along said transverse axis and lies short inwardly of transversely opposite side edges of said absorbent laminate.

24. The article according to claim 16, wherein said elastically stretchable member has a stretch stress of 50 - 1500 g.

25. The article according to claim 16, wherein said absorbent laminate comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet.

26. The article according to claim 25, wherein surfaces of said liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet opposed to each other at least in said convexly deformable zone are separable from each other.

27. The article according to claim 25, wherein said deformation inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet and secured to said liquid-absorbent core at least at two positions thereof in the proximity of its longitudinally opposite ends.

28. The article according to claim 25, wherein said deformation inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet and secured to said backsheet at least at two positions thereof in the proximity of its longitudinally opposite ends.

29. The article according to claim 19, wherein said deformation inducing means are disposed on the outer surface of said backsheet and secured to said backsheet at least at two positions thereof in the proximity of its transversely opposite side edges.

30. The article according to claim 24, wherein said absorbent laminate and said deformation inducing means are secured together by means of said second deformation assisting means.